Tufted Duck
Least ConcernAythya fuligula
Visual Identification
Tufted Duck
Appearance
The Tufted Duck is a distinctive diving duck with a compact body and a small, peaked head.
Males sport glossy black plumage on the head, neck, and upper body, contrasting sharply with bright white flanks. The signature feature is a long, drooping crest at the rear of the head. Their dark plumage has a beautiful oily iridescence that reflects purple and green in good light.
Females are predominantly chocolate-brown with paler flanks and a smaller crest. Both sexes have golden-yellow eyes and a blue-grey bill with a black tip. Juveniles resemble females but with duller plumage, darker eyes and bills.
Size
Length
40cm to 47cm
Wingspan
67cm to 73cm
Weight
550g to 1.2kg
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Tufted Ducks inhabit a wide range of freshwater habitats, including lakes, reservoirs, and slow-flowing rivers. They prefer areas with abundant aquatic vegetation and depths suitable for diving. During breeding, they favour shallow, vegetated wetlands.
The species breeds across northern Eurasia and winters in southern Europe, southern Asia, and parts of Africa. In the UK, it is a year-round resident, but its numbers increase in winter due to migrants from northern Europe.
Elevation Range
Up to 2,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subarctic
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Tufted Ducks primarily feed on aquatic invertebrates, especially molluscs, snails and mussels, and insect larvae. They also consume small fish, crustaceans, and aquatic plants.
Their diet varies seasonally, with more plant matter consumed during winter months when invertebrates are scarce. These diving ducks find most of their food down on the bottom, although they also dabble and take food from the surface.
Behaviour
Tufted Ducks are highly social, often forming large flocks on open water. They are excellent divers, plunging to depths of up to 14 meters to forage for food; however, 5 metres is more common.
During courtship, males perform head-throws and neck-stretching displays to attract females.
Vocalisation
Tufted Ducks are generally quiet, but males produce a soft, wheezing whistle during courtship, often described as 'wit-oo'. Females have a harsh, grating 'karr' call, typically used when alarmed or to communicate with ducklings. In flight, their wings produce a distinctive whistling sound.
Nesting & Breeding
Tufted Ducks form pairs during late winter and spring. Breeding typically occurs from May to July, with timing varying based on latitude. Females select nest sites close to water, often on small islands or in dense vegetation. They nest alone or in small groups with several meters between them.
The nest is a shallow scrape on the ground, lined with down and plant material. Females lay 8-11 olive-buff or grey-green eggs and incubate them for 23-28 days. Males usually depart once incubation begins.
Ducklings are precocial, leaving the nest within 24 hours of hatching. They can dive and feed independently but remain with the female for protection for about 45-50 days until fledging.
Lifespan
The Tufted Duck typically lives for 4 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 45.2 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While currently listed as Least Concern, Tufted Ducks face threats from habitat loss and degradation of wetlands. Climate change may affect their breeding and wintering ranges.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring wetland habitats across their range.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Tufted Ducks on large, deep lakes and reservoirs
- Observe their diving behaviour, as they submerge for 15-30 seconds at a time
- In the UK, check coastal areas during winter for large congregations
- Listen for the soft whistling call of males during the breeding season
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Tufted Scaup, Tufted Pochard
Family:
AnatidaePredators
Main predators include large gulls, pike, and mammals such as foxes and mink, which primarily target eggs and young ducklings.
Did You Know?
- Tufted Ducks can dive to depths of up to 14 meters in search of food, although most dive to 5 metres.
- Their population has expanded westward in Europe over the past century.
- They are one of the few duck species that regularly breed in urban parks.
- They have been recorded living over 45 years in the wild.
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References
- 2
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Aythya fuligula. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22680391A86013549.
View source - 3 4
report, 2006: Wetlands International
- 1
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source